How to Tackle Menopause Belly Fat

Menopause can be difficult enough in and on its own. Adding menopause belly fat into the equation makes for a tricky situation and one that can have serious health implications.

First, it should be noted that there are steps that women can take to delay menopause, such as living a healthy lifestyle. Smoking, for example, has been shown in medical studies to bring on menopause at a younger age. However, with that stated, menopause is a natural process of life.

Genetic Factors Play A Role

Belly fat is one of the many body changes that women will see during menopause. This increase in body fat is due to significant hormone changes that do occur.

With these hormonal changes, women should expect to gain weight not just in their midsections, but in their thighs and hips as well. Unfortunately, belly fat can lead to a variety of health problems including diabetes, cancer and even cardiovascular disease.

It is important to keep in mind that to some extent genetic factors will influence the distribution of fat in your body. This is true for menopause belly fat, but it is also true when it comes to fat distribution for both men and women.

Don’t Assume That Significant Weight Gain is Unavoidable

It is true that with menopause, the “battle of the bulge” might be a bit more difficult than before menopause. However, it is important that women don’t start thinking that weight gain is unavoidable. In other words, significant weight gain does not have to be an outcome of menopause.

The “Old Rules” Still Apply

Menopause belly fat might be one of nature’s little “surprises,” but the old rules of weight gain still apply. Working out, a smart balanced diet and caloric restriction will all work to help you keep your weight under control.

Weight gain always brings with it complication and problems. Don’t let menopause derail your efforts to stay fit and healthy. Psychologically, realizing that menopause could make your efforts to stay fit and healthy more difficult is an important step in the right direction.

It is thus smart to prepare yourself mentally for what menopause may bring. This means realizing in advanced that you will have to workout more and may have to reduce what you normally eat. By following a smart and reasonable diet and exercise program, you should be able to tackle belly fat during menopause.